Was Elton John Paid $6.5 Million for TV Commercial?

Elton John reportedly was paid $6.5 million for four days of shooting for a British TV commercial.

The annual ad for the department store chain John Lewis has become a holiday season event in the U.K., so it’s not unusual for the company to spend big on its production.

The Daily Mail quoted a source who confirmed that John was filmed at London’s Pinewood Studios performing a new version of his classic track “Your Song,” which will be used behind a storyline that follows him through the 71 years of his life.

“John Lewis wanted to win the battle of the Christmas adverts this year, and it has cost them a significant sum to do it,” the source said. “But they think having Elton on board will guarantee its popularity and blow [rival store chain] Marks & Spencer out the water.”

The source noted that the commercial is a "tearjerker but also very sweet, and follows Elton from a child through his teenage years into how he is today. It is all very, very charming.”

John Lewis refused to confirm or deny the claims. “We are lucky enough to enjoy lots of speculation around our TV ads, much of which is wildly inaccurate, and our one rule is to never comment on any aspect simply because we want to keep the magic,” a spokesperson said.

John appeared in a Snickers commercial last month playing a rapper who’s unable to perform until he’s satisfied his hunger. He kicked off his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour this past weekend. The show is scheduled to run until at least 2021.